BUCKLEY DRAINAGE BOARD.

Shannon News, 22 July 1927, Page 3

BUCKLEY DRAINAGE BOARD.

MEETING! OF TRUSTEES. A meeting of the Buckley Drainage Board was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday morning. Present: Trustees Messrs W. R. Taylor (chairman), Spiers, Egginton, R. Law, and H. Easton. ARATANGATA DRAIN. Referring to previous correspondence relative to the proposed alteration of boundaries of the Buckley Drainage District, in which the Horowhenua County Council is of opinion that the Aratangata drain should be controlled and maintained by the Board, provided that the Board has power to levy rates over the land benefited in the cleaning of the drain, the Assistant Under Secretary forwarded a copy of a letter sent to the County Council, advising . that as the Board is the controlling authority for drainage matters in the district, it would seem that it should more properly have the control of the Aratangata drain. It is proposed, therefore, that the alteration of boundaries, as prayed for, should be made, with the exception that the Aratangata drain will be left in the drainage district, and if it is so desired questions of the control and maintenance of that drain may be determined afterwards in connection with section 64 and 65, Land Drainage Act, 1908. A discussion ensued during which it was pointed out that the Aratangata drain was in the area petitioned not to be included in the Board's district, and as this area is to be excluded the Board objects to take over control of the drain.

The Secretary was instructed to write to the Minister of Internal Affairs making the Board's objections, and failing a satisfactory, reply, a deputation consisting of Trustees Spiers and Law visit Wellington to interview the Minister on'the matter. CLASSIFICATION OF AREA.

Dealing with the question of classification a long, and at times, a very lively discussion took place on the different aspects of the scheme for river protectioli and banking as submitted -by the Board's engineer, Mr. Hay. The three problems considered were protection from flood by the hfanawatu river, protection from floods by the Koputaroa Stream and drainage of the three subdivisions. It was pointed out by the Chairman that the Board only had power to make two classifications for rating purposes. One is a classification for the whole district, to be ap plied to a general scheme for the whole district, the other a classification to apply to the subdivisions, only. There was a general discussion as to the general scheme brought down by Mr. Hay, which consists of protection from Manawatu river floods, protection from the Koputaroa Stream floods and deepening the Koputaroa as far as the railway line. To this, there was a good deal of opposition from Trustee Egginton, who represents the Koputaroa subdivision, who considered that tht banking would be of no benefit to that area, which required only drainage. . Trustee Spiers was also opposed ti the scheme. He stated that deepening the Koputaroa would be of no benefi. to the Piaka subdivision, as practically no water from that subdivision flowee, into the Koputaroa, but banking wouh. be of benefit to them. The Buckley representatives were in forested only in the banking of theii portion of the stream and deepening a small portion of the stream at itc. mouth, a distance of seven chains. Trustee Law supported Mr. Hay’t scheme as the only one capable of beinfe applied as a general one over the whoh area, thus giving direct, benefit to aK three subdivisions. He contended.tha: as the Board have taken over tht

stream it should not do the work piece

meal. If they dug out the bottom oi the stream, the banking on both side, should be done at the same time. H< said in this he was supported by thi engineers. Mr. Allen, who is to carry out tin classifying of the district, was in at tendance and answered several quest ions in connection with the work. Trustee Law moved that Mr. Aller be asked to classify for a genera scheme covering river protection ant the scheme as brought down by Mr. Hay. The motion lapsed for want o: a seconder. Finally, a motion by Trustee Spier; was carried, ‘ ‘ Thatf Mr. Allen be asket to classify for flood protection covering the Manawatu river and Koputaroi stream, leaving out deepening the Kop utaroa stream. ” The Chairman, Trustee Law and tht clerk (Mr. J. T. Bovis) were appoint ed a committee to go into the finance* of the Board, and to get the necessary authority to raise money to carry out the work no-w in hand.